The Oxford County Community Health Centre (OCCHC) is a non-for-profit charitable organization, serving communities across Oxford County. Its primary funder is Ontario Health (West). We are funded to serve marginalized individuals, meaning those facing health & social complexities in everyday life; with limited income & resources; and without a Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
As of 2023, there were 101 CHC’s across Ontario. Each CHC offers services and programs tailored to their respective community.
Our Journey – Immersed in Community
- In November 2005, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced that the City of Woodstock was designated to establish a Community Health Centre (CHC).
- In 2006 the MOHLTC hired a consultant to conduct a preliminary community engagement process. The main objective was to mobilize local representatives to lead the development of the new CHC.
- At the conclusion of this first phase, it was decided that the catchment area for services must extend beyond Woodstock into neighbouring communities.
- The newly named Woodstock and Area Community Health Centre (WACHC) was born.
- The Steering Committee became an incorporated Board of Directors, with Letters Patent, in 2008.
- Our doors opened in 2010, with our main office in Woodstock, ON, and a satellite office in Tillsonburg, ON, for selected team-based services.
- To better reflect our reach and mission, our name was changed from the Woodstock & Area Community Health Centre to Oxford County Community Health Centre in 2017.
Our Vision and Mission purposely allow for strategic & operational growth to meet community needs & address the social determinants of health, as we have witnessed over the years with the addition of, for example:
- Episode of Care (EOC) Physiotherapy – 2014
- Housing Stability Services – 2018
- Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic – 2019
- Youth Outreach & Housing Support Program – 2019
- Southwestern Public Health Seniors Dental Care Program – 2020
- Mobile Health Outreach Bus – 2020
- Transitional Living Program Woodstock (Huron House) – 2020
- Community Dental Clinic in partnership with Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry– 2021
- Oxford Sexual Assault Services – 2022
- Transitional Living Program Tillsonburg (Lighthouse) – 2023
The OCCHC continues to assess opportunities for growth, and adjustment to programs, in order to meet evolving community needs – serving as a catalyst for change.